Abdulrazak Gurnah - A Keynote Address at the CFD Annual Conference

The Boston University Center on Forced Displacement will host an evening conversation with Abdulrazak Gurnah, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature. Gurnah is the celebrated author of novels as well as critical studies of postcolonial literature. He grew up on the island of Zanzibar but was forcibly displaced when, in the 1960s, the oppression and persecution of citizens of Arab origin were rampant in the country. He eventually received asylum in England. His novels regularly depict the impacts of decolonization in East Africa through an uncompromising refusal of an oversimplification but tremendous compassion for his characters and their struggles.

This event will include a conversation between BU Professors Preston and Zaman and Gurnah on Monday evening, April 24 that is open to the public.

This event is co-sponsored by the Pardee School.